It was a year in which celebrities gave us a lot to see. Big names – from Kim Kardashian to Emma Corrin – have forgotten their pants.
Stars in their 50s (Julia Roberts) stretched their bare legs in winter miniskirts, and the Princess of Wales and Penny Mordaunt competed for the best cape dress prize.
Unless you were Gwyneth Paltrow, who secretly channels wealth, the mood was clearly excessive.
Florence Pugh turned heads in baby blue at Valentino at Paris Fashion Week this summer
Alex Scott wore a see-through mesh dress with visible panties and no bra to the GQ Men Of The Year Awards
Celebrities show their naked ambition
Transparent isn't entirely new – you may remember Florence Pugh turning heads in a bright pink sheer dress from Valentino in 2022, and she did the same for the fashion house this summer in baby blue at Paris Fashion Week.
But this year the Extreme Look Worn On The Red Carpet became something your favorite BBC sports presenter could appear in.
Alex Scott wore a see-through mesh dress with visible panties and no bra to the GQ Men Of The Year Awards (no bra or pants are visible these days, civilian or not), and that was the moment — partly because it was hardly caused any excitement – we knew that the nude look was now actually nude with a sheer coating.
We haven't had a year this transparent since the early 1990s, when Kate Moss was pictured at a fashion party wearing these sheer long briefs over black bikini bottoms.
Of course there are rules: make sure your pants match the outfit (no thongs); Keep the neckline high and the sleeves and hemline long (you need to be fully covered, even if you're virtually naked). and expect to be stared at – unless you're at a fashion party.
Barbiecore Margot is in pink
Margot Robbie spent most of her time embodying Barbie in outfits from designers ranging from Prada to Versace
This year there was Balletcore (tulle dresses and ballet flats) and Barbiecore (lots of pink and Barbie-esque outfits with a new twist, coinciding with the release of the summer blockbuster Barbie).
If you like snappy, neat little outfits with matching jackets, bags and heels, then you were in luck this summer. The film's star, Margot Robbie, spent most of her time impersonating Barbie in outfits from designers ranging from Prada to Versace (all items from the collections chosen for their Barbie relevance), including pink marabou-trimmed pajamas and a Pucci -Go-Go dress.
We may never be able to see pink again.
The slim Penny, the caped crusader…
Leader of the House of Representatives Penny Mordaunt wears a teal cape dress at the King's coronation at Westminster Abbey in May
Another fan of the cape dress this year was actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who wore a sculpted white dress over a metallic mesh dress for the premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Penny Mordaunt's teal cape dress was designed by label Safiyaa specifically for her role as sword bearer at King Charles' coronation (left) and, bless her heart, it worked. It's not often you get the chance to carry a sword in public, but Mordaunt seemed born to do so, thanks in part to the regal cape sleeves that revealed just enough arms primed for push-ups were.
Other fans of the cape dress this year included the Princess of Wales, who also wore a Safiyaa dress with a teal cape at the Royal Variety Performance in November; Author and actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who wore a sculpted white cape over a metallic mesh dress for the premiere of Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny; and Mick Jagger's partner Melanie Hamrick, whose jeweled cape worn over a black column dress at the king's dinner at Versailles stole the show.
Olivia Colman was an early adopter (she's been wearing capes for years), while actress Zawe Ashton wore an Erdem cape dress to the Evening Standard Theater Awards in November; and Kate Moss wore a black cape dress to the London Fashion Awards earlier this month. When Kate picks up on a trend, you pay attention.
But hats off to Mordaunt's Roman goddess look, which will surely be remembered as the standout style of 2023 – even if it was mostly about her steady gaze, distinct demeanor and Catherine Deneuve-esque beauty.
Rishi's wife nails her colorful paint blocks
Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murty's most memorable outfit of the year was Chinti and Parker's fuchsia cashmere top with lime green Me+Em pants when she arrived in Japan in May
Back in February, Akshata Murty, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's wife, was photographed running errands in a pair of shearling-lined mules and received a lot of criticism when they were revealed to be from JW Anderson and cost £570.
Since Slippergate, Ms Sunak has worn mostly middle-class labels, stayed true to her style and, most importantly, opted for a bright color block outfit. In the process, she made it to the top of Tatler's list of best-dressed women, which is no mean feat.
Her most memorable outfit of the year was the one she wore in May when she arrived in Japan for the G7 summit: a fuchsia cashmere top from Chinti and Parker with lime green Me+Em pants, which she had also worn the previous year. collect your sustainability points.
It's been a very big year for brights – and whether it's trousers and a tonal top or a printed maxi skirt, Ms Sunak wears them well.
Oops, I forgot my pants!
Emma Corrin wears the “I forgot my pants” look with gold sequin panties from Miu Miu in Paris
Model Adwoa Aboah wearing wool trousers and a matching cardigan leaves Vogue World: London after partying at the George Club in Mayfair
Emma Corrin walked the runway in Miu Miu's gold sequin panties and sweater in March, and since then the “I Forgot My Hose” look has only grown in popularity.
Many celebrities forgot their pants in 2023 and were photographed out and about in wool pants and matching cardigans (model Adwoa Aboah); baggy shirts over tiny bike shorts (model Kendall Jenner); buttoned-up blazers and stockings (actress Eva Longoria); or they just went out in their tights.
Kim Kardashian (who else) was pictured in just a hoodie and black lace stocking boots – basically lace tights with built-in high heel pumps – which we assume is the natural completion of Forgotten Pants.
Then again, Kim's boots are from Balenciaga's Pre-Fall 2024 collection, so it's not over yet.
Now anyone can dare to expose a mini-miracle
Anna Eberstein, wife of Hugh Grant, wore a short dress to the Wonka premiere at the Regency Village Theater in Los Angeles
Alexa Chung at Vogue World wears black with sheer black tights and heels
This year the Mini has returned, and you can get away with it at any age if you have the pins for it.
Anna Eberstein – Mrs. Hugh Grant – wore a short dress to the Wonka premiere (above left); and this month Julia Roberts, 56, wore a miniskirt twice (once in cold London without tights, which was perhaps a step too far).
The mini look that prevailed during party season was black with sheer black tights and high heels (see Alexa Chung at Vogue World); while the star who wore it best was Jodie Comer in a sleeveless mini tuxedo dress.
But Gwynnie hides in quiet luxury
Gwyneth Paltrow took the stand in a Utah courtroom in March and impressed Quiet Luxury Court Style
Court attire took a new turn this year. After the high-end bling of the Wagatha Christie trial in 2022, lifestyle guru and queen of rich mom energy Gwyneth Paltrow took the stand in a Utah courtroom in March and won over Quiet Luxury Court Style.
Her outfits included coats from The Row, Celine boots, her own brand clothing, G Label by Goop and Ray-Bans.
Everything – even Foundrae's £65,000 solid gold chains – was devoured online as quickly as she wore them.
Gwyneth won her case and walked away with the grace of someone who had made her miss half a day of skiing.
This was perfectly executed, calm luxury dressing at its finest, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.